On Sunday afternoon in Sacramento, Business 80 was closed as firefighters worked to contain a grass fire near Cal Expo. The fire had spread to about three acres and reached the freeway, causing traffic congestion. According to Justin Sylvia, the public information officer for the Sacramento Fire Department, the dense vegetation in the area made it challenging for crews to access the fire with hoses and engines.
The thick black smoke observed by people was a result of not only the grass and vegetation burning but also the homeless camps in the vicinity catching fire. Investigators are looking into potential persons of interest within the homeless encampment, and they will also interview witnesses to determine the cause of the fire. Helicopters were deployed to make water drops due to the difficult terrain and lack of fire hydrants in the area.
Traffic on Business 80 came to a halt near Exposition Boulevard for southbound vehicles and the bridge over the American River for northbound travelers. Although traffic flow resumed in both lanes about 30 minutes later, the closure caused delays. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries resulting from the fire.